More than 150 blue pinwheels were set up at Free Church Park in Sturgis Sunday afternoon in recognition of April as National Child Abuse Prevention month.
The pinwheels were planted to recognize the confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect in St. Joseph County last year. The Child Abuse and Neglect Council of St. Joseph County uses the pinwheels to help raise awareness of the problem.
The council placed more than 1,000 pinwheels throughout the county in nine gardens in Three Rivers, Mendon, Colon, Burr Oak, Sturgis, White Pigeon and Constantine, and outside the courthouse gazebo in Centreville.
A community prayer vigil is set for 7 p.m., April 24, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis to recognize those who help neglected or abused children.